Bowling lane vacuum cleaner

ABSTRACT

A vacuum cleaning machine for cleaning the full width of a bowling alley, including the gutters or channels on either side thereof, is disclosed. The machine comprises a pair of vacuum units each connected through a plenum to a nozzle which is generally in the form of an inverted U-shaped elongated channel designed to extend across the width of the bowling lane. The nozzle carries downwardly-extending brushes which serve to loosen the material that is to be picked up by the vacuum units. Each end of the nozzle is adapted to receive an extension which acts as an auxiliary nozzle, with each auxiliary carrying at its outer end a brush arrangement for cleaning the bowling alley gutters. The extensions are fastened to the upper surface of the main nozzle to form air passages which communicate through an opening in the nozzle so that air and entrained particles from the gutters can be drawn into the vacuum units. A pivoted arm is affixed to the front and back of the channel extension and carries at its outer, free end a curved brush which is adapted to the shape of the alley channel so as to loosen the dust which is to be picked up. The material entrained in the air flow of the vacuum cleaner is carried to a suitable storage bag, in conventional manner.

[ BOWLING LANE VACUUM CLEANER [76] Inventor: Samuel H. Sharpless, 61-69N. Pine St., I-lazelton, Pa. 18201 [22] Filed: July 8, 1971 [21]Appl.No.: 160,716

[52] US. Cl ..15/347, 15/49 R, 15/328, 15/371,15/414 [51 Int. Cl. ..A47l5/28 [58] Field of Search ..15/98, 302, 312, 15/320, 340, 347, 350, 351,359, 395, 403, 414, 415, 422

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,893,047 7/1959 Swihart..15/347 2,509,604 5/1950 McGregor.... ..15/395 750,852 2/1904 Hart..15/354 2,648,867 8/1953 Erling ..15/371 X 3,042,950 7/1962 Ludwig, Jr.et al. .....15/5O C 1,985,849 12/1934 Allen ..15/422 X 3,460,185 8/1969Cook ..15/347 2,296,994 9/1942 Grant ..15/395 X Primary E.raminerEdwardL Roberts Assistant ExaminerC. K. Moore Attorney-Jones and Lockwood [451May 1, 1973 [5 7] ABSTRACT A vacuum cleaning machine for cleaning thefull width of a bowling alley, including the gutters or channels oneither side thereof, is disclosed. The machine comprises a pair ofvacuum units each connected through a plenum to a nozzle which isgenerally in the form of an inverted U-shaped elongated channel designedto extend across the width of the bowling lane. The nozzle carriesdownwardly-extending brushes which serve to loosen the material that isto be picked up by the vacuum units. Each end of the nozzle is adaptedto receive an extension which acts as an auxiliary nozzle, with eachauxiliary carrying at its outer end a brush arrangement for cleaning thebowling alley gutters. The extensions are fastened to the upper surfaceof the main nozzle to form air passages which communicate through anopening in the nozzle so that air and entrained particles from thegutters can be drawn into the vacuum units. A pivoted arm is affixed tothe front and back of the channel extension and carries at its outer,free end a curved brush which is adapted to the shape of the alleychannel so as to loosen the dust which is to be picked up. The materialentrained in the air flow of the vacuum cleaner is carried to a suitablestorage bag, in conventional manner.

29 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures Patented May 1, 1973 4 Sheets-Sheet 1//vv/v r00 SAMUEL H. 5HA RPL E55 5% A TTORNEYS Patented May 1, 19733,729,769

4 Sheets-Sheet 2 F/ G. 2 96 98 I0 INVENTOR SAMUEL h. SHARPL 55 BW JWATTORNEYS Patented May 1, 1973 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 //vv/vr0/? SAMUEL H.SHARPLESS ATTORNEYS Patented May 1, 1973 4 Sheets-Sheet 4.

I/VVENTOR SAMUEL H. SHAH/71.555

\ay M ATTORNEYS l BOWLING LANE VACUUM CLEANER BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION The present invention relates, in general, to vacuum cleaners,and in particular to a vacuum cleaner specifically designedautomatically and effectively to clean bowling alleys, including thefloor portion forming the bowling lane as well as the gutters formed oneither side of the lane.

As is well known, it is essential to carefully maintain bowling alleysso as to produce consistent surface conditions whereby the bowlingsurface of each lane will be predictable and uniform. A typical bowlinglane surface is prepared by finely sanding the wood surface and coveringthe sanded surface with several coats of lacquer. The lacquer-coatedsurface is then regularly dressed by applying a light lubricant, mineraloil or other material of appropriate composition. This dressing providesa protective finish over the lacquer which will minimize marking of thelane surfaces and which will facilitate removal of black marks, scuffsand the like. It has been found, however, that over a period of time theheavy bowling balls compress the lacquer finish and form grooves orpaths, in the lane surface which catch the balls and guide them, oftencarrying the balls off course.

Because of the hard usage given a bowling lane surface, it is necessaryto periodically remove the finish from the wood and refinish the surfaceso as to completely remove the grooves and other marks that are formedin the surface. Obviously a bowling alley must be closed during thisperiodic refinishing, and it is therefore essential that this work bedown quickly and efficiently so as to return the alley to service assoon as possible. To accomplish this there has been developed a new andimproved sanding machine for bowling alleys which is described andclaimed in a copending application of Samuel H. Sharpless, Ser. No.128,679, filed on Mar. 29, 1971, and entitled Improved Sanding Machinefor Bowling Alleys. This sanding machine provides a fast and efficientmethod of removing old surfaces from a bowling alley, but it will beapparent that in so doing a considerable amount of dust is created. Thesamll particles of dust generated by this operation must be completelyremoved from the surface of the bowling alley before the lacquer finishcan be applied, in order to assure a smooth, even, and flat surface.

Prior to the present invention, conventional vacuum cleaners were usedto remove the dust and the accumulation of small particles due to thesanding operation, but such prior devices have not been entirelysatisfactory. Although the conventional vacuum cleaner is designed forcleaning flat surfaces, and in this regard is relatively satisfactoryfor the bowling lane surface, such vacuum cleaners generally are notsufficiently large to cover the full width of the lane, and requireseveral passes of the cleaner to cover the whole alley. In so doing, thedust particles are stirred up, and an incomplete job is done. Further,such machines are poorly adapted to remove the dust particles which fallor are blown into the gutters on either side of the bowling lane. Thesegutters must then either be cleaned by a separate vacuum cleanermachine, or must be manually swept out; in either case, the job is timeconsuming and does not completely remove the dust particles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is, therefore, an object of the presentinvention to provide a bowling alley vacuum cleaner device which willquickly and efficiently remove dust particles from the full width of abowling alley, including the bowling lane surface and the gutterchannels on either side.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a bowling alleyvacuum cleaner which is adapted to clean an alley in one pass along thelength of the alley.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a vacuumcleaner having a nozzle which extends across the width of a bowlinglane, and which is adapted to receive channel extensions on each endwhich will clean the ball channels adjacent the lane.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a vacuummachine for bowling alleys which is designed to provide automatictracking and guidance so that the machine will clean the full width ofthe alley in one pass along its length.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a vacuummachine for bowling alleys which extends laterally across the alley andis adapted to be moved along its length so as to clean the alley andadjacent gutters in one pass, the machine being automatically guidedalong the alley and automatically adjusting to the changingconfiguration of the alley along its length.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a vacuumcleaner having a nozzle adapted to clean a bowling lane, the nozzlebeing further adapted to receive channel extensions'which extend intoand clean the channels adjacent the bowling lane, the extensions 1carrying floating brushes which loosen the particles to be picked up andwhich adjust to varying configurations of the channels.

Briefly, the bowling lane vacuum cleaner of the present inventioncomprises an elongated nozzle adapted to extend transversely across abowling lane. A pair of plenum chambers are formed at the center of thenozzle, each of which leads to and supports a commercial motor-drivenvacuum cleaner suction unit. The nozzle is divided in half by suitablebaffles so that each vacuum unit draws air from a corresponding portionof the nozzle and deposits dust and particles entrained in the air flowin a collection bag attached to the vacuum unit outlet. Each half of thenozzle carries a brush which is adapted to contact the surface of thealley to loosen the dust particles and permit effective cleaning. Thefront of the machine is supported by a pair of nylon slides so that thebrushes will operate properly, while the rear of the machine issupported by wheels to provide ease of movement.

The nozzle is generally in the shape of an inverted U- shaped channel,with the outermost ends of the nozzle being formed with a stepped downor reduced volume portion which is adapted not only to clean the laneportion of the alley, but to receive corresponding nozzle extensionswhich reach beyond the edge of the bowling lane and extend across thegutters adjacent the lane. Each extension is bolted to the top of itscorresponding reduced portion and mates with the vertical shoulderformed thereby in the nozzle, this vertical shoulder providing anopening or passageway which leads to the interior of the nozzle. Theextension is also in the form of an inverted generally U-shaped channeland when in position forms with the top of the reduced portion of thenozzle a duct leading from the passageway in the vertical shoulder to avacuum chamber formed at the end of the extension over the gutterportion of the bowling alley. A pair of shaped brush support plates arepivotally connected to the exterior of the nozzle extension, the brushsupport plates being generally in the shape of the alley gutters andmovable to extend therein. Each of these plates carries a bush holder towhich is fastened a curved brush which is adapted to contact the surfaceof the gutter to thereby loosen dust particles, the brush holders beingpivotally connected to the support plates to provide accurate contactbetween the brushes and the surface of the gutter. Also fastened to thenozzle extension is a guide roller assembly which carries a pair ofguide wheels. These wheels are adjustably mounted and serve to contactthe outer vertical edge of the gutter to maintain the machine properlyaligned on the alley.

The machine is provided with suitable covers for the opening formed inthe vertical shoulder of the main nozzle so that the vacuum cleaner maybe used to clean any flat surface by removing the extensions. However,with the extensions attached, the present machine is capable of vacuumcleaning the full width of a bowling alley, including the guttersections formed on each side thereof, performing this operation in asingle pass.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The foregoing and additional objects,features and advantages of the present invention may be more clearlyseen from a consideration of the following specification, taken inconjunction with the attached drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a machine made in ac cordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a partial top view of the vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1 with thenozzle extensions removed;

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the vacuum cleaner of F IG. 1 with the coverremoved from one of the plenum chambers and with the nozzle extensionsremoved;

FIG. 4 is a front view in partial section of the machine of FIG. 1, withone of the nozzle extensions removed;

FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of the: reduced end portion of thenozzle of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of a nozzle extension in accordance with thepresent invention; and

FIG. 7 is a side view in partial section of the device of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Turning now to a more detailedconsideration of the invention, reference is made to the perspectiveview of FIG. I wherein there is illustrated at 10 a vacuum cleaner foruse on bowling alleys. The vacuum cleaner rests on and moves along thebowling lane 12, and has lateral nozzle extensions (to be described indetail hereinbelow) which serve to clean the gutters, or ball channels14 and 16 conventionally located on each side of lane 12. The cleanercomprises first and second vacuum units 18 and 20 which rest on and areaffixed to corresponding plenum chambers 22 and 24. These two chambersare attached to the back wall of an elongated vacuum nozzle 26 whichextends the width of lane 12, the vacuum units 18 and 20 when inoperation drawing air through nozzle 26 and plenum chambers 22 and 24,depositing any dust particles entrained in the air stream incorresponding dust bags 28 and 30.

Attached to the left and right hand ends of the nozzle 26, as viewed inFIG. 1, are the lateral nozzle extensions, or auxiliary nozzles, 32 and34, respectively. Each extension is adapted to be securely fastened tonozzle 26 and to form therewith ducts or air passageways which lead tothe gutters 14 and 16, respectively, whereby the vacuum units 18 and 20will draw air and entrained particles into the nozzle from the surfaceof the bowling lane and into the extensions from the gutters. The airdrawn into the extensions flows through the ducts into the nozzle, andthence through the plenum chambers to bags 28 and 30. Both the nozzle 26and the extensions 32 and 34 are provided with suitable brushes forscrubbing the surface of the alley and gutters as the machine is movedto thereby loosen the particles and permit effective cleaning of thealley.

The cleaner is supported at the back on suitable wheels fastened to themain frame of the machine, with the front resting on adjustable slidesso that the device may be easily moved along the alley by means of ahandle 36. Since the machine extends the full width of the alley, it iseffective to clean it thoroughly and efficiently in just one pass,thereby effecting a considerable savings in the time required to performthis task. It will be noted that the arrangement of the brushes withrespect to the nozzles is such that the machine may be moved eitherforwardly or backw'ardly along the alley to clean it. Although thedevice is particularly useful for cleaning the alley after it has beensanded, and in preparation for refinishing, it will be apparent that thepresent machine can readily be used for normal day-today maintenance ofan alley, if desired.

The main framework of the machine of FIG. 1 preferably consists of analuminum casting which is designed to provide the duct work for thevacuum cleaning process while at the same time serving as a base towhich the remaining components of the machine may be connected. Thismain framework includes the plenum chambers 22 and 24 and the mainnozzle 26, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 of the drawings, to whichreference is now made. In FIG. 2 there is illustrated a top view of themachine with the vacuum motors and the nozzle extensions removed. Asillustrated, main nozzle 26 comprises an elongated channel generallyU-shaped in cross-section and having its open end facing downwardly. Theplenum chambers 22 and 24, which preferably are formed as a unitary partof the nozzle 26 but which may be separately formed and secured to thenozzle in a suitable manner, are connected to the back wall 38 of thenozzle, with an opening being formed therein to permit free flow of airfrom within the nozzle to the interiors of the respective plenumchambers. These openings are illustrated at 40 and 42 in FIG. 4. Theplenum chamber 22 is formed to provide a raised platform 44 which isadapted to receive the vacuum unit 18. To secure the vacuum unit inplace, the raised platform is formed with a locking cam ring 46 whichreceives a mating cam (not shown on the bottom of the vacuum unit 18,the cam being provided with a pair of lugs which fit into thecorresponding notches on cam ring 46. The vacuum unit 18 is a standardindustrial type which may be fitted on the platform 44 with the lugspassing through the notches on the cam ring so thata slight turn of theunit will cause the lugs to pass under the ring and lock the unit inposition. The vacuum unit 18 rests on three rubber mounts 48 spacedaround platform 44 to prevent vibration of the frame and to reducenoise. In similar manner, the plenum chamber 24 is formed with a raisedplatform portion 50 having a cam ring 52 adapted to receive and hold thevacuum unit 20. Again, rubber mounts 54 are provided to reduce vibrationand noise. It will be seen that the locking cam rings 46 and 52 surroundcentrally located apertures 56 and 58 which provide access to theinterior of the plenum chambers from their corresponding vacuum units.

The main frame casting is also formed with a wiring compartment 60 whichis connected between plenum chambers 22 and 24. Compartment 60 isgenerally parallel to nozzle 26 and spaced therefrom, preferably beinglocated at the back of chambers 22 and 24 to provide not only anenclosure for the wiring, but to provide additional structural strengthto the main frame. This compartment opens upwardly, with the openingproviding access to the wiring and being closed by a suitable cover 62held in place by suitable fastening means such as screws 64. Mounted onthe front wall of compartment 60 is an inlet electrical connector 66adapted to receive a corresponding plug connected to the main powersupply line 68. Power is supplied to the vacuum units by way of line 68,which passes into handle 36 by way of aperture 70, and extends up thehandle and out the top end thereof for connection to a suitable powersource. Control means such as an on-off switch may be interposed in line68, and preferably will be located at the upper end of handle 36 forconvenient regulation of the operation of the vacuum units. Alsoconnected to the front wall of compartment 60 are a pair of outletconnectors 72 and 74 which are electrically interconnected within thecompartment with connector 66 to receive power therefrom, and which areadapted to receive corresponding plugs on power lines 76 and 78 whichlead to vacuum units 18 and 20, respectively (see FIG. 4).

A pair of support wheels 80 and 82 for the machine are carried oncorresponding shafts 84 and 86 which may be joumalled in the backportion of the plenum chambers 22 and 24, respectively. These shafts maybe independently mounted or may form a part of a single axle 88 whichpasses through suitable bearings in the main frame, and which may extendthrough the plenum chambers and the wiring compartment 60, asillustrated in FIG. 3. Also supported by shafts 84 and 86 is a handlebracket 90 which is in the form of a yoke. The handle bracket includesfirst and second spaced legs 92 and 94 carried by shafts 84 and 86,respectively, and a centrally located tongue portion 96. The tongueportion of the bracket is formed with a groove or channel in its uppersurface which is adapted to receive handle 36. The handle is held inposition within the groove by means of a cover plate 98 which may besecurely fastened by means of studs threaded into the tongue portion ofthe yoke and wing nuts 100. The end of handle 36 may carry a locatorshaft 102 which is spring biased outwardly to contact the curved uppersurface of a locator block 104. The upper surface of the locator blockcarries a plurality of depressions which are adapted to receive the endof sahft 102 so that when the locator shaft is engaged in one of thedepressions, the handle will be supported at a corresponding angularposition. The spring bias on the locator shaft may be adjusted to permitthe handle to be pivoted about shafts 84 and 86 but to be held in theselected position when no vertical force is exerted on the upper end ofthe handle; alternatively, a mechanical latching mechanism may be usedto provide a positive engagement between the locator shaft and aselected one of the depressions in the locator block, whereby the handleis firmly held in position.

In FIG. 3 it will be seen that the bottom of the plenum chambers 22 and24 are closed by means of cover plates, this figure showing the coverplate in place for plenum chamber 24, while the cover plate for chamber22 has been removed to illustrate the interior of this chamber. In orderto provide additional stability and strength to the machine, a supportbar 112 is provided, this bar extending between the nozzle 26 andcompartment 60 and being spaced equally between the plenum chambers.

The nozzle 26, which is formed as a part of or is attached to theforward end of the plenum chambers 22 and 24, is generally U-shaped incross section, forming a channel with the open portion of the channelfacing downwardly toward the surface which is to be cleaned. At thecentral portion of the nozzle where it is interconnected with the plenumchambers, it is approximately square in cross section, the height andwidth dimensions being about the same, this central portion forming acollection chamber 114. The collection chamber is defined by the backwall 38 of the nozzle, a top wall 1 16 and a front wall 118, asillustrated in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4. Both ends of nozzle 26 are stepped downto form a nozzle area of reduced cross section which is adapted toreceive and engage a laterally extending nozzle extension. The height ofthe reduced nozzle portion is substantially less than that of thecentral portion of the nozzle in this embodiment, while the widththereof remains constant. FIGS. 2 and 4 illustrate the reduced portionat the left-hand end of the nozzle as being formed by the back wall 38and the front wall 118 of the main nozzle, while the top of the reducedarea portion is formed by a top wall portion 122 and the end is closedby an end wall 124. At the juncture between the collection chamber 114and the reduced nozzle chamber 120 the upper surface of the nozzle isdiscontinuous and the front and back walls are notched to form avertical shoulder having a passageway 126 leading to the exterior of thenozzle. This passageway is illustrated in the perspective view of FIG.5.

The upper surface 122 of portion 120 serves as a base for receiving andsupporting the nozzle extension 32, the notches formed in back and frontwalls 38 and 1 18 providing the shoulder against which the end of thenozzle extension abuts to connect the interior of the extension to thecollection chamber 114 by way of passageway 126. A stud 128 is mountedon the upper wall 122 by means of which the extension is secured to thenozzle 26. In order to permit the machine to be used without extension32, a cover 130 is provided for passageway 126. This cover is pivotallymounted by means of bracket arms 132 and 134 to a pin 136 which issecured to the upper surface 116 of the nozzle by means of upstandinglugs 138 and 140.

Mounted within the channel formed by the portions 114 and 120 of nozzle26 is a brush 142 supported by a brush holder 144 which extends alongabout one half the length of the nozzle. As illustrated in FIG. 3, thebrush holder is formed with a pair of lugs 146 and 148 which are adaptedfor use in securing the brush holder to the nozzle. As may be seen inFIG. 4, the lug 146 is adapted to receive a threaded stud 150 whichextends upwardly through a corresponding aperture in the upper wall 122of the nozzle where it may be secured by a suitable wing nut 152. Insimilar manner, the lug 148 is adapted to receive a stud which passesthrough a corresponding aperture in top wall 116 where it is secured bya wing nut or the like.

The right-hand side of nozzle 26 is constructed in substantially thesame manner as the left-hand side just described, and thus includes theright-hand portion of collection chamber 114 which is defined, asbefore, by back wall 38, top wall 116 and front wall 118. The right-handend of the nozzle is formed with a stepped down portion 120' of reducedcross-sectional area, this portion being defined by the back wall 38, a.top wall portion 122, the front wall 118 and an end wall (not shown)Again, the front and back walls of the nozzle are notched to providevertical shoulders against which the nozzle extension 34 (FIG. 4) abuts,the nozzle ex? tension resting on top wall 122' to define an extensionduct which leads from the passageway 126' formed in nozzle 26. Thereduced nozzle portion 120' carries an upstanding stud 128' which isadapted to pass through an aperture in extension 34, the extension beingsecured to the nozzle, by means of a wing nut or the like on this stud.

Located within the right-hand half of nozzle 26 is a second cleanerbrush 142' which is carried by a brush holder 144'. A pair of lugs 146and 148 are provided on holder 144 by means of which brush holder 144 issecured in the right-hand portion of the nozzle. It will be noted thatthelugs extend up to the top wall of the nozzle and thus also serve asspacers to insure that the brush is properly located. Again, the brushis held in place by suitable studs and wing nuts, by bolts, or by otherfasteners. When the extension 34 is removed from nozzle 26, thepassageway 126 may be closed by a cover 130 in the manner previouslydescribed.

In order to support the front end of the machine while it is being movedalong the surface to be cleaned, a pair of adjustable slides 160 and 162are provided. These slides are threadedly mounted in the end portions120 and 120', respectively, of the nozzle and extend down below thelower edge of nozzle 26 (see FIG. 4) to provide the required spacingbetween the nozzle and the surface to be cleaned. The slides arepreferably made of nylon and after adjustment may be secured intoposition by a locking nut 164. Also formed within the nozzle is a pairof baffle plates 166 and 168 which serve generally to divide the nozzlechamber and to direct the air flow from the right-hand side of thenozzle into the corresponding right-hand vacuum unit and to direct theair flow from the lefthand side of the nozzle generally into theleft-hand vacuum unit.

Turning now to a more detailed consideration of the nozzle extensions,reference is made to FIG. 6 wherein the extension 34 is illustrated inan exploded view and to FIG. 7 wherein the extension is illustrated in asectional end view, the section being taken along line 7 7 of FIG. 4.The extension comprises an elongated channel generally U-shaped in crosssection which has a reduced duct portion 173 and an enlarged vacuumchamber portion 174, both of which are formed by front and back walls176 and 178 (FIG. 7) and a top wall 180. The front and back walls arenotched to form the reduced portion 173 which isadapted to receive theend portion of nozzle 26. When the vacuum chamber is attached to thenozzle 26, the notched walls 176 and 1 78, together with the top wall180, form with the top wall 122' of the reduced nozzle chamber 120 aduct 182 which leads from passageway 126' into the vacuum chamber. Whenthe chamber is so positioned, the front and back walls of the nozzle 26and the extension 34 are flush, as are the top walls 116 and 180, withthe vacuum chamber portion 174 extending laterally beyond the end ofnozzle 26 and over the area of the bowling alley gutters which are to becleaned, (see FIG. 4). The ends of the vacuum chamber 174 are closed byend walls 184 and 186 (FIGS. 4 and 6, respectively) so that the vacuumchamber opens downwardly toward the surface to be cleaned. The upperwall of the vacuum chamber is provided with a first aperture 188 whichreceives the threaded stud 128 whereby the extension is secured tonozzle 26 and is further provided with a threaded aperture 190 whichreceives a bolt for securing the guide assembly to be described.

At the inner end of the vacuum chamber where it abuts the passageway 126there is formed a support bracket 192 having front and back legs 194 and196 extending downwardly outside the front and back walls of the nozzle26. At the lower ends of these legs are located apertures for receivingpivot pins 198 and 200, respectively. These pivot pins may take the formof bolts which may be threaded into the apertures in legs 194 and 196,or may be pins having a friction fit in the apertures. Mounted on pins198 and 200 are a pair of brush support plates 202 and 204 having arms206 and 208, respectively, carrying apertures through which the pivotpins pass and which extend along and adjacent the front and back walls176 and 178, respectively, of the vacuum chamber 174. The outer ends ofthe brush support plates are enlarged and curved as at 210 and 212 togenerally conform to the shape of a bowling alley gutter, the arms 206and 208 being sufficiently long to position the curved portions 210 and212 adjacent the downwardly facing opening in the vacuum chamber 174.The curved enlarged portions 210 and 212 of these brush support platesserve as baffles to guide the flow of air into the vacuum chamber duringoperation of the machine.

A generally U-shaped stop bar 214 is secured to the brush support plates202 and 204, the bar 214 extending over the top wall 180 of vacuumchamber 174 in order to limit the downward pivotal motion of the brushsupport plates while allowing free upward motion thereof.

The brush support plates 202 and 204 are adapted to carry curved brushholders 216 and 218, respectively, the brush holders being attached totheir respective support plates by means of pivot pins 220 and 222,

respectively. The pivot pins are adapted to pass through apertures 224and 226 of the brush holders to threadedly engage apertures 228 and 236in the brush support plates 202 and 204. The brush holders 216 and 218carry corresponding gutter brushes 232 and 234, respectively, thebrushes being removably held in downwardly facing grooves 233 and 235formed in the brush holders, the brushes being secured by means offasteners 236. The pivotal arrangement of the brush holders and of thebrush support plates enables the brushes 232 and 234 to conform to thedepth and configuration of the bowling alley gutters being cleaned, thebrushes automatically adjusting to variations in depth and curvature ofthe gutter.

A guide assembly 240 comprising a wheel support bracket 242 and twodepending guide wheels 244 and 246. The guide wheels are mounted onvertical axes which are journalled in the support bracket 242, with thewhole assembly being adjustably attached to the top of vacuum chamber174 by means of a bolt 248 adapted to pass through an elongated opening250 in the wheel support bracket and into the threaded aperture 190 inthe top surface of vacuum chamber 174. The guide wheel support bracket242 is curved to fit over the top of the vacuum chamber so that when thebolt 248 is tightened, the bracket will be held firmly in place. Theelongated opening 250 permits the guide wheels to be adjusted inwardlyor outwardly from the end of the vacuum chamber so that the guide wheelswill contact the outside edge of the gutter to thereby insure that themachine remains centered on the alley, as illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 shows an end view of extension 34 with the end wall 184 removed.This Figure also shows the manner in which vacuum unit 20 is supportedby plenum chamber 24. It will be understood that the vacuum unit is ofconventional design, and includes an electric motor 252 secured by meansof a fastener plate 254 to a circular blade housing 256 which encloses arotary fan driven by the motor. The rotation of this fan is in adirection to draw air through the nozzle into the plenum chamber 24 upthrough the central opening aperture 58 into the blades, and thence toan exhaust outlet 258 which is connected to the dust collection bag 30.The machine may be pushed by means of handle 36 in either a forward orreverse direction, with the air flow carrying entrained dust and otherparticles from the surfaces through the nozzle and nozzle extension andthence into the dust bag for disposal.

Thus there has been provided a new and improved vacuum cleaner for useon bowling alleys and other flat surfaces and which is capable ofcleaning both the alley and the adjacent gutters in a single pass. Themachine is simple, and because it is formed from aluminum castings, isrelatively lightweight for easy handling both in cleaning and intransporting. The machine may be easily dismantled if necessary fortransportation, and the brushes may easily be removed for replacementwhen they are worn. The machine is provided with guide assemblies whichalign it with the alley so that the lane and gutter brushes will traveleffortlessly along the surfaces to be cleaned. The adjustable slides forthe main nozzle and the pivotal connections for the gutter brushesinsure that there will be sufficient pressure exerted by these brusheson the respective surfaces to insure thorough cleaning. Since thegutters adjacenta bowling lane will normally change in cross sectionalconfiguration, the pivotal mounting of the gutter brushes furtherinsures automatic adjustment of the machine to the surfaces beingcleaned. Although the invention has been described with respect to aspecific embodiment thereof, it will be apparent that numerousvariations and modifications in the particulars thereof can be madewithout departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention asdefined in the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A bowling alley vacuum cleaner for cleaning the lane and both guttersof an alley simultaneously, comprising:

a nozzle extending across the width of said lane, said nozzle having adownwardly-facing opening for cleaning said alley, said nozzle includinga first stepped portion defining a first passageway spaced inwardly fromone end and including a second stepped portion defining a secondpassageway spaced inwardly from the other end of the nozzle;

first and second lateral nozzle extensions;

means for releasably fastening said first extension to said one end ofsaid nozzle in engagement with said first passageway;

means for releasably fastening said second extension to said other endof said nozzle in engagement with said second passageway,

closure means at each passageway for closing said passageway uponremoval of a corresponding nozzle extension; and

at least one vacuum unit for drawing air into said nozzle through saiddownward-facing opening and through said first and second passagewaysfrom corresponding extensions and feeding said air to a collection bag,whereby particles entrained by said air are deposited in said collectionbag.

2. The vacuum cleaner of claim 1, wherein said first and secondextensions extend across and are shaped to generally conform to theshape of corresponding ones of said gutters.

3. The vacuum cleaner of claim 1, wherein each of said lateral nozzleextensions forms a vacuum chamber which extends across a correspondingone of said gutters, and duct means for connecting each of said vacuumchambers to said nozzle.

4. The vacuum cleaner of claim 3, wherein each of said lateral nozzleextensions includes front, back and top walls cooperating with a wallportion of said nozzle to form said duct means, said front, back and topwalls being further shaped to form said vacuum chamber.

5. The vacuum cleaner of claim 3, further including brush meansadjustably mounted on each of said nozzle extensions, said brush meansbeing adapted to contact the surfaces of said gutters as said bowlingalley is cleaned.

6. The vacuum cleaner of claim 5, wherein each said brush means includesat least one brush support plate pivotally mounted on each of saidnozzle extensions, and a gutter cleaning brush carried by each of saidbrush support plates.

7. The vacuum cleaner of claim 6, wherein said gutter cleaning brush isremovably mounted in a brush holder, said holder being pivotally mountedon said brush support plate.

8. The vaccum cleaner of claim 5, further including a guide rollerassembly adjustably mounted on each of said nozzle extensions, saidguide roller assembly being adapted to contact the side wall of a gutterto guide said vacuum cleaner along said bowling alley.

9. The vacuum cleaner of claim 8, wherein said guide roller assemblyincludes a roller support bracket, means for attaching said bracket tosaid nozzle extension, and roller means mounted on said roller supportbracket.

10. The vacuum cleaner of claim 1, wherein said nozzle comprises anelongated channel, generally U- shaped in cross-section and openingdownwardly, said channel defining a central collection chamber and saidfirst and second stepped portions of said nozzle defining a reducednozzle chamber at each end, said vacuum unit being connected to saidcentral collection chamber.

11. The vacuum cleaner of claim 10, further including brush meansmounted in said nozzle for contacting the surface of said bowling lane.

12. The vacuum cleaner of claim 10, further including adjustable slidermeans fastened to said noule for supporting said vacuum cleaner during acleaning operation.

13. The vacuum cleaner of claim 10, wherein said channel is formed by afront wall, a back wall, a first top wall portion for said centralcollection chamber, and second and third top wall portions for saidreduced nozzle chambers, said front and back walls being notched at thejunctions of said reduced nozzle chambers with said central collectionchamber thereby to define said stepped portion at each end of saidcollection chamber and wherein said first and second passageways leadfrom the interior to to the exterior of said nozzle.

14. The vacuum cleaner of claim 13, wherein each said lateral nozzleextension is fastened to a corresponding said reduced nozzle chamber andin communication with a corresponding one of said passageways.

15. The vacuum cleaner of claim 14, wherein each said lateral nozzleextension forms a vacuum chamber which extends across a correspondingone of said gutters and duct means which cooperates with the top wallportion of said reduced noule chamber to connect said vacuum chamberwith said passageway.

16. The vacuum cleaner of claim 15, wherein said nozzle extensionincludes brush means adjustably mounted for contacting the surface of agutter while said cleaner is in operation.

17. The vacuum cleaner of claim 16, wherein said brush means comprises apair of brush support plates pivotally mounted on said duct means ofeach nozzle extension, brush holder means pivotally fastened to each ofsaid support plates, and a gutter brush secured to each of said supportplates.

18. The vacuum cleaner of claim 10, wherein each of said lateral nozzleextensions forms a vacuum chamber which extends across a correspondingone of said gutters and duct means for connecting each of said vacuumchambers to said nozzle.

19. The vacuum cleaner of claim 18, further including first and secondplenum chambers connected to said central collection chamber of saidnozzle, a first vacuum unit mounted on said first plenum chamber and asecond vacuum unit mounted on said second plenum chamber, said vacuumunits drawing air and entrained particles through said nozzle, saidlateral nozzle extensions and their corresponding plenum chambers toeffect a cleaning operation.

20. The vacuum cleaner of claim 19, wherein said plenum chambers andsaid nozzle comprise a main frame member, said cleaner further includingsupport wheels and handle means mounted on said main frame.

21. A bowling alley vacuum cleaner for cleaning the lane and bothgutters of an alley simultaneously, comprising:

a nozzle extending across the width of said lane;

first and second lateral nozzle extensions each forming a vacuum chamberwhich extends across a corresponding one of said gutters;

first duct means for fastening said first extension to one end of saidnozzle;

second duct means for fastening said second extension to the other endof said nozzle;

brush means adjustably mounted on each of said nozzle extensions, eachof said brush means comprising a brush support plate pivotally mountedon each side of said nozzle extension, said plates being movablevertically into and out of said gutter to contact the surfaces of saidgutters as said bowling alley is cleaned; and

at least one vacuum unit for drawing air through said first and secondextensions and through said nozzle and feeding said air to a collectionbag, whereby particles entrained by said air are deposited in saidcollection bag.

22. The vacuum cleaner of claim 21, wherein each of said brush meansfurther comprises a brush holder pivotally mounted on each of said brushsupport plates, said brush holders being curved to generally conform tothe shape of said gutter, and a gutter brush removably attached to eachof said brush holders, said brush being curved to contact the surface ofsaid gutter.

23. The vacuum cleaner of claim 22, wherein said brush means furtherincludes a stop means for limiting the motion of said brush supportplates, the pivotal mountings of said brush support plates and brushholders allowing said gutter brushes automatically to conform to theshape of said gutter.

24. The vacuum cleaner of claim 23, wherein each of said brush supportplates includes a support arm pivotally mounted at one end to itscorresponding said nozzle extension and forming at its other end anenlarged baffle plate portion shaped to conform generally to the shapeof said gutter, said baffle plate portion being adjacent said vacuumchamber and serving to guide the flow of air thereto along the surfaceof the gutter during operation of said cleaner, whereby said gutter willbe cleaned.

25. The vacuum cleaner of claim 24, further including a guide rollerassembly adjustably fastened to each said nozzle extension, said guideroller assemblies serving to guide said vacuum cleaner along saidbowling alley during a cleaning operation.

26. A bowling alley vacuum cleaner having a nozzle extending across thewidth of a lane of said alley and having at least one vacuum unit fordrawing air through said nozzle to carry entrained particles to acollection bag, the improvement comprising:

first and second lateral extensions for said nozzle, each said extensionbeing shaped to extend across and generally conform to the shape of abowling alley gutter;

means for releasably securing said first extension to one end of saidnozzle;

means for releasably securing said second extension to the other end ofsaid nozzle; and

brush means adjustably mounted on each of said nozzle extensions, eachsaid brush means including at least one brush support plate pivotallymounted on said nozzle extension and movable vertically into and out ofsaid gutter, and a gutter cleaning brush carried by said support plateand adapted to contact the surface of a corresponding gutter as saidbowling alley is cleaned.

27. The vacuum cleaner of claim 26 wherein said gutter cleaning brush isremovably mounted in a brush holder, said brush holder being pivotallymounted on said brush support plate.

28. The vacuum cleaner of claim 26, wherein each said brush meansincludes a brush support plate pivotally mounted on each side of saidnozzle extension, and a gutter cleaning brush carried by each of saidbrush support plates.

29. The vacuum cleaner of claim 26, wherein each of said brush supportplates includes a support arm pivotally mounted at one to itscorresponding nozzle extension and forming at its other end an enlargedbaffle plate portion shaped to conform generally to the shape of saidgutter, said baffle plate portion cooperating with said nozzle extensionto form a vacuum chamber for cleaning said gutter.

1. A bowling alley vacuum cleaner for cleaning the lane and both guttersof an alley simultaneously, comprising: a nozzle extending across thewidth of said lane, said nozzle having a downwardly-facing opening forcleaning said alley, said nozzle including a first stepped portiondefining a first passageway spaced inwardly from one end and including asecond stepped portion defining a second passageway spaced inwardly fromthe other end of the nozzle; first and second lateral nozzle extensions;means for releasably fastening said first extension to said one end ofsaid nozzle in engagement with said first passageway; means forreleasably fastening said second extension to said other end of saidnozzle in engagement with said second passageway, closure means at eachpassageway for closing said passageway upon removal of a correspondingnozzle extension; and at least one vacuum unit for drawing air into saidnozzle through said downward-facing opening and through said first andsecond passageways from corresponding extensions and feeding said air toa collection bag, whereby particles entrained by said air are depositedin said collection bag.
 2. The vacuum cleaner of claim 1, wherein saidfirst and second extensions extend across and are shaped to generallyconform to the shape of corresponding ones of said gutters.
 3. Thevacuum cleaner of claim 1, wherein each of said lateral nozzleextensions forms a vacuum chamber which extends across a correspondingone of said gutters, and duct means for connecting each of said vacuumchambers to said nozzle.
 4. The vacuum cleaner of claim 3, wherein eachof said lateral nozzle extensions includes front, back and top wallscooperating with a wall portion of said nozzle to form said duct means,said front, back and top walls being further shaped to form said vacuumchamber.
 5. The vacuum cleaner of claim 3, further including brush meansadjustably mounted on each of said nozzle extensions, said brush meansbeing adapted to contact the surfaces of said gutters as said bowlingalley is cleaned.
 6. The vacuum cleaner of claim 5, wherein each saidbrush means includes at least one brush support plate pivotally mountedon each of said nozzle extensions, and a gutter cleaning brush carriedby each of said brush support plates.
 7. The vacuum cleaner of claim 6,wherein said gutter cleaning brush is removably mounted in a brushholder, said holder being pivotally mounted on said brush support plate.8. The vaccum cleaner of claim 5, further including a guide rollerassembly adjustably mounted on each of said nozzle extensions, saidguide roller assembly being adapted to contact the side wall of a gutterto guide said vacuum cleaner along said bowling alley.
 9. The vacuumcleaner of claim 8, wherein said guide roller assembly includes a rollersupport bracket, means for attaching said bracket to said nozzleextension, and roller means mounted on said roller support bracket. 10.The vacuum cleaner of claim 1, whereiN said nozzle comprises anelongated channel, generally U-shaped in cross-section and openingdownwardly, said channel defining a central collection chamber and saidfirst and second stepped portions of said nozzle defining a reducednozzle chamber at each end, said vacuum unit being connected to saidcentral collection chamber.
 11. The vacuum cleaner of claim 10, furtherincluding brush means mounted in said nozzle for contacting the surfaceof said bowling lane.
 12. The vacuum cleaner of claim 10, furtherincluding adjustable slider means fastened to said nozzle for supportingsaid vacuum cleaner during a cleaning operation.
 13. The vacuum cleanerof claim 10, wherein said channel is formed by a front wall, a backwall, a first top wall portion for said central collection chamber, andsecond and third top wall portions for said reduced nozzle chambers,said front and back walls being notched at the junctions of said reducednozzle chambers with said central collection chamber thereby to definesaid stepped portion at each end of said collection chamber and whereinsaid first and second passageways lead from the interior to to theexterior of said nozzle.
 14. The vacuum cleaner of claim 13, whereineach said lateral nozzle extension is fastened to a corresponding saidreduced nozzle chamber and in communication with a corresponding one ofsaid passageways.
 15. The vacuum cleaner of claim 14, wherein each saidlateral nozzle extension forms a vacuum chamber which extends across acorresponding one of said gutters and duct means which cooperates withthe top wall portion of said reduced nozzle chamber to connect saidvacuum chamber with said passageway.
 16. The vacuum cleaner of claim 15,wherein said nozzle extension includes brush means adjustably mountedfor contacting the surface of a gutter while said cleaner is inoperation.
 17. The vacuum cleaner of claim 16, wherein said brush meanscomprises a pair of brush support plates pivotally mounted on said ductmeans of each nozzle extension, brush holder means pivotally fastened toeach of said support plates, and a gutter brush secured to each of saidsupport plates.
 18. The vacuum cleaner of claim 10, wherein each of saidlateral nozzle extensions forms a vacuum chamber which extends across acorresponding one of said gutters and duct means for connecting each ofsaid vacuum chambers to said nozzle.
 19. The vacuum cleaner of claim 18,further including first and second plenum chambers connected to saidcentral collection chamber of said nozzle, a first vacuum unit mountedon said first plenum chamber and a second vacuum unit mounted on saidsecond plenum chamber, said vacuum units drawing air and entrainedparticles through said nozzle, said lateral nozzle extensions and theircorresponding plenum chambers to effect a cleaning operation.
 20. Thevacuum cleaner of claim 19, wherein said plenum chambers and said nozzlecomprise a main frame member, said cleaner further including supportwheels and handle means mounted on said main frame.
 21. A bowling alleyvacuum cleaner for cleaning the lane and both gutters of an alleysimultaneously, comprising: a nozzle extending across the width of saidlane; first and second lateral nozzle extensions each forming a vacuumchamber which extends across a corresponding one of said gutters; firstduct means for fastening said first extension to one end of said nozzle;second duct means for fastening said second extension to the other endof said nozzle; brush means adjustably mounted on each of said nozzleextensions, each of said brush means comprising a brush support platepivotally mounted on each side of said nozzle extension, said platesbeing movable vertically into and out of said gutter to contact thesurfaces of said gutters as said bowling alley is cleaned; and at leastone vacuum unit for drawing air through said first and second extensionsand through said nozzle and feeding said air to a collection bag,wHereby particles entrained by said air are deposited in said collectionbag.
 22. The vacuum cleaner of claim 21, wherein each of said brushmeans further comprises a brush holder pivotally mounted on each of saidbrush support plates, said brush holders being curved to generallyconform to the shape of said gutter, and a gutter brush removablyattached to each of said brush holders, said brush being curved tocontact the surface of said gutter.
 23. The vacuum cleaner of claim 22,wherein said brush means further includes a stop means for limiting themotion of said brush support plates, the pivotal mountings of said brushsupport plates and brush holders allowing said gutter brushesautomatically to conform to the shape of said gutter.
 24. The vacuumcleaner of claim 23, wherein each of said brush support plates includesa support arm pivotally mounted at one end to its corresponding saidnozzle extension and forming at its other end an enlarged baffle plateportion shaped to conform generally to the shape of said gutter, saidbaffle plate portion being adjacent said vacuum chamber and serving toguide the flow of air thereto along the surface of the gutter duringoperation of said cleaner, whereby said gutter will be cleaned.
 25. Thevacuum cleaner of claim 24, further including a guide roller assemblyadjustably fastened to each said nozzle extension, said guide rollerassemblies serving to guide said vacuum cleaner along said bowling alleyduring a cleaning operation.
 26. A bowling alley vacuum cleaner having anozzle extending across the width of a lane of said alley and having atleast one vacuum unit for drawing air through said nozzle to carryentrained particles to a collection bag, the improvement comprising:first and second lateral extensions for said nozzle, each said extensionbeing shaped to extend across and generally conform to the shape of abowling alley gutter; means for releasably securing said first extensionto one end of said nozzle; means for releasably securing said secondextension to the other end of said nozzle; and brush means adjustablymounted on each of said nozzle extensions, each said brush meansincluding at least one brush support plate pivotally mounted on saidnozzle extension and movable vertically into and out of said gutter, anda gutter cleaning brush carried by said support plate and adapted tocontact the surface of a corresponding gutter as said bowling alley iscleaned.
 27. The vacuum cleaner of claim 26 wherein said gutter cleaningbrush is removably mounted in a brush holder, said brush holder beingpivotally mounted on said brush support plate.
 28. The vacuum cleaner ofclaim 26, wherein each said brush means includes a brush support platepivotally mounted on each side of said nozzle extension, and a guttercleaning brush carried by each of said brush support plates.
 29. Thevacuum cleaner of claim 26, wherein each of said brush support platesincludes a support arm pivotally mounted at one to its correspondingnozzle extension and forming at its other end an enlarged baffle plateportion shaped to conform generally to the shape of said gutter, saidbaffle plate portion cooperating with said nozzle extension to form avacuum chamber for cleaning said gutter.